2011–2012 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

Ocean Engineering, Ph.D. _____________________
Major Code: 9084 Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy
Age Restriction: N Admission Status: graduate
Delivery Mode/s: classroom only Location/s: main campus
Admission Materials: 3 letters of
recommendation, résumé, objectives, GRE
Admission Requirements
Admission to doctoral study is granted to a limited number of applicants,
and normally requires a master’s degree, with a GPA of at
least 3.3 out of 4.0, in a program that provides suitable preparation
for doctoral-level studies in ocean engineering. Applicants must
submit GRE General Test Scores for evaluation.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are
presented in the Academic Overview section.
Degree Requirements
The doctor of philosophy degree is awarded in recognition of
scientific accomplishment and the ability to investigate scientific
problems independently. The program consists of advanced studies
to prepare the student for engineering research, and completion
of a research project that leads to a significant contribution to the
knowledge of a particular problem. Each student must pass the
preliminary written examination, complete an approved program
of study, pass the comprehensive written and oral examinations,
complete a program of significant research, publish the results of
the research, and prepare and defend a dissertation concerning the
research.
General degree requirements are presented in the Academic
Overview section.
Course Work and Dissertation Summary
Doctoral coursework minimum credit hours
beyond the master’s degree ......................................................................... 24
Doctoral dissertation minimum credit hours............................................... 24
MINIMUM CREDITS BEYOND MASTER’S DEGREE ........................ 48
Courses must be taken in several areas to assure that all graduates
of the doctoral program possess the breadth of knowledge necessary
to work in the field of ocean engineering. A minimum of nine credit
hours of coursework must be taken in mathematics and computer
science, and 21 credit hours must be taken in engineering, as part
of the student’s graduate coursework (including master’s courses). A
minimum of 15 credit hours of coursework must be directly related
to the dissertation research.
The dissertation research is normally conducted on a topic related
to current faculty research. The ocean engineering program
faculty currently have research interests in coastal engineering,
corrosion, naval architecture, submersibles, ocean systems and
instrumentation.
After admission to doctoral candidacy, a yearly seminar demonstrating
progress must be presented to the graduate faculty.
Oceanography, Ph.D. ________________________
Major Code: 9081 Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy
Age Restriction: N Admission Status: graduate
Delivery Mode/s: classroom only Location/s: main campus
Admission Materials: 3 letters of
recommendation, résumé, objectives, GRE
The doctor of philosophy degree is offered to students who want to
carry out advanced research in an area of existing faculty expertise.
The doctoral degree is granted in recognition of high achievement
in a program of study, required examinations and original research
in the field of oceanography. Students may be admitted during
any semester, but for optimal scheduling, the fall semester is
recommended.
Admission Requirements
An applicant who has received a bachelor’s or master’s degree in
mathematics, natural science, engineering or related fields is eligible
to apply for admission to the doctoral program. All applicants
should have a high scholastic record (minimum of 3.3 GPA based
on a 4.0 scale), three letters of recommendation and Graduate
Record Examination General Test scores. Included with the application
should be a short, clear statement of the applicant’s interests
and objectives. Although not required for admission, an on-campus
interview is highly recommended.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are
presented in the Academic Overview section.
Degree Requirements
The doctoral degree is primarily a research degree and is conferred
in part in recognition of research accomplishments. Each student
must complete an approved program of coursework; pass the
comprehensive examinations; write an acceptable research proposal
and petition for admission to candidacy; complete a program
of significant original research; prepare and defend a dissertation
concerning the research; and present a seminar on the research.
Each candidate is expected to publish a major portion of the dissertation
in refereed national or international journals. A minimum
of 24 credit hours of coursework and 24 credit hours of dissertation
beyond a master’s degree are required.
General degree requirements are presented in the Academic
Overview section.
Curriculum
A program of study must be approved by the student’s adviser and
the program chair. A wide degree of latitude is allowed in course
selection and research interest within the capability of the university
and the student’s academic background. A student in one of the
five concentrations available (biological, chemical, geological and
physical oceanography, and coastal zone management) must also
develop a general knowledge of the various areas of oceanography.
Prior to admission to doctoral candidacy, the student may be
required to demonstrate proficiency in a computer language or a
reading proficiency of scientific literature in one foreign language.
The chosen language should allow access to important literature in
the student’s area of research. This requirement is imposed at the
discretion of the doctoral committee.
After admission to doctoral candidacy, a yearly seminar demonstrating
progress must be presented to the graduate faculty.
RESEARCH
The department of marine and environmental systems occupies the
first and second floors of the Link Building with laboratory, lecture,
computer facilities and office space, with additional space in the
Frueauff Building and the Surf Mechanics Laboratory.
Research activities in the department are diverse and vary with
increased knowledge from current research, changes in demands
in the research community and new developments in experimental
procedures and instrumentation. Separate laboratories exist for
Degree Programs—College of Engineering 129